A Landlord's perspective, if you please!

BARGAINHUNTER!

As the LL I would expect to be asked about the tenant making any repairs themselves where further damage could be done. If it was just a case of screwing the curtain pole on tighter then that is fine, as well as the kitchen door, but I would not be happy if the tenant filled a hole and left it in a bad state. If these things came up on the inventory and needed to be rectified you should have spoken to the letting agent about getting them done if you could not live with them the way they were and not just taken it upon yourselves to carry out the repairs. After all, where does it stop? If the boiler broke down and you thought you could repair it would you do it yourself? If I were the LL id definately want these issues sorted out before my tenents moved in so that they moved into a decent place and there was nothing for them to do!

nikki_angel

The curtain pole was a simple screw job and filling in the hole was done to a high standard....I am very fussy! I would NEVER take it upon myself to fix anything dangerous.

Geenie

nikki_angel wrote: »

How would you feel if your tenant fixed a couple of issues that were negative on the inventory i.e a broken kitchen door hinge, mouldy mastic behind kitchen sink and curtain pole problem?

These are things that are marked on our inventory but easily sorted. We have already fixed the curtain pole issue as the whole thing was falling off the wall and I can't live like that. I also filled in a massive hole where the metal tie back for the curtain had pulled the plaster away where it was too heavy. The kitchen door hinge and mouldy mastic is easily fixed too so I am quite happy to sort these myself. Would you want to be asked before this was done or would it just be a pleasant surprise when the check out inventory came about?

I have to say that as a LL I wouldn't let a house of mine with those issues on the inventory, as that smacks of a couldn't care less attitude by the person letting to you. I would have had them sorted before letting.

That said, I am quite happy for tenants to do minor repairs and upkeep the house without informing me beforehand of minor problems, as I look for tenants who consider the place their home, and as any home owner will tell you, mould sometimes has to be dealt with, or suddenly curtain poles come off walls.

I can't think of any tenants that haven't painted bedrooms pink for daughters, blue for boys in rooms that started off magnolia. It doesn't bother me.

You sound like a lovely and very forgiving tenant OP.

nikki_angel

Hi Geenie,

Thanks very much I am also a home owner too and was a LL for a year so I can see it from both sides but like to get opinions from other more experienced LLs. I would LOVE to paint our daughter's room but I don't think our LL would like that TBH. I asked if I could box in some wires that are going around the living room at my own expense with the proper tools and equipment and they never got back to me so I don't think they were too keen. The wires look a state and I wish I could do something about them but hey ho, can't have it all.

Nx

tbs624

Wings wrote: »

And who is to say the tenant is competent to carry out either the said repairs or decorating, a LL can be opening a large can of worms.

That's the purpose of discussing the matter, as suggested.

Wings wrote: »

I am presently assisting a LL who gave such consent to a tenant, only to find his now ex tenant had painted the premises in highly vivid fluorescent colour paints, forgetting to protect ceilings, uPVC windows, carpets, skirting boards and carpets from the paints.

LL was foolish to not clearly set out conditions for the redecoration.